The Birthing Guardians

30/03/2025

*Holding Space, Building Change | World Doula Week*

Birth work isn’t just about what happens in the delivery room—it’s about the hands that hold, the voices that reassure, and the hearts that stay open. At Doulas of South Africa (DOSA), we believe leading with heart means showing up for doulas the way doulas show up for their clients: with care, with intention, and with the knowledge that support changes everything.

🧡 It means creating a space where doulas aren’t just seen as caregivers but as professionals deserving of respect, fair pay, and real opportunities.

🧡 It means honoring the diverse traditions and cultures that shape birth in South Africa—because our work should reflect the people we serve.

🧡 It means standing together, amplifying each other’s voices, and making sure no one has to navigate this path alone.

This World Doula Week, we’re not just celebrating doulas—we’re reaffirming our commitment to them. To every birth worker out there: you matter, your work matters, and we’re here to make sure you’re supported every step of the way.

06/03/2025

Haha 😂 who can relate

True story 🤷‍♀️

06/04/2024

An angel baby looking over as their rainbow sibling is feeding 🌈 Everyone has a significant part in each others' story 💗

27/03/2024

Ways to reframe your child’s behavior. Sarah Ockwell-Smith

25/03/2024

Walk into a room while I am supporting a birth and you might think that I am just sitting there doing nothing. I won’t be talking. I won’t be touching the client. I won’t be using anything in my bag.

So what am I doing exactly?

🪑 Watching mom’s breathing and sometimes breathing loudly alongside her to remind her to slow down her breath

🪑 Scanning mom’s body during the contraction to make sure that she isn’t holding any tension

🪑 Monitoring the temperature and lighting to create the peaceful environment that she desires

🪑 Calculating how long it has been since she emptied her bladder

🪑 Thinking about how long she has been in her current position and thinking about the next position that she might try

🪑 Timing contractions to see if they are longer, stronger and closer together

🪑 Thinking about when mom and her partner last had a snack

🪑 Reviewing her preferences to make sure that everything is going according to her plan

🪑 Giving the couple space to connect on an intimate level (allowing for oxytocin) and/or guiding the partner to be the lead support

🪑 Updating notes and capturing labor flow

Sometimes just being fully present is enough. Sometimes just knowing I am there in close proximity is all mom needs to be able to relax and focus on what she needs to do. Sometimes just holding space for them in an unbiased manner allows for a noticeable shift in the energy of the room.

And the list goes on….

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